Collecting letters he’d written to his wife during his tour in the first Gulf War of 1990, Mr. Bradshaw spins a poignant web of lessons for those who now face these same challenges.

Floating between what he admits to be somewhat mundane musings; financial plans and travel details, to more in-depth matters dealing with imminent danger culminating in what may or may not have been his final letter home, Dear Diane: Letters From The First Gulf War speaks to both military service members as well as those left behind.

A personal, sometimes in deep detail, account of the evolution of a couple engaged in a young marriage while navigating the trials of a war-time deployment, Stephen Bradshaw unveils the inner-workings of a man and a woman growing together during a challenging time.

In moments detailed in writing, Dear Diane: Letters From The First Gulf War spans seven months and chronicles the ever-changing emotions, sometimes erratic and unreasonable to deeply touching and undeniably moving, to which any couple can easily relate.

From wondering why letters aren’t arriving to him, to being thankful for even the smallest gift of a cassette tape, Stephen Bradshaw welcomes readers into a world lost - the written word. While electronic means have taken the place of the hand-written sentiment, readers are reminded of a time when communication during war-time was an inconstant and ever-changing thing and that a letter from home was -and still is- as prized as a cherished treasure.

Dear Diane: Letters From The First Gulf War takes readers on a journey through penned emotions, intimate and unfiltered, from a husband to his wife in an uncertain time. An excellent read for those with a penchant for the voyeuristic, Mr. Bradshaw shares the realities his most personal thoughts and feelings about his circumstance and of his love and, at times, frustration with, his wife, Diane.

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Margaret Aikens has spent her life in the military presence. Daughter to a retired Officer, wife to a retired Marine and mother to three service sons, her experiences cover the broad range of military life. Margaret is a professional SEO copy, content and technical writer with one of the largest international content firms online. She has taken classes in journalism and SEO strategies from the Poynter Institute and enjoys the opportunity to write on many different subjects. In addition to her SEO work, she enjoys writing Examiner articles providing an emphasis on the needs, insights and support of our wonderful Atlanta military families. For story ideas and information contact: margaretaikens@yahoo.com